Oct 29, 2008 4:16 pm US/Eastern
What's Next For State Sen. Dianne Wilkerson
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Dianne Wilkerson (file image)
WBZ
State Senator Dianne Wilkerson is free on bail, facing federal corruption charges; an elected official accused of selling her State House services. So what happens now for the woman who has been a fixture in Massachusetts politics for 15 years?
THE CHARGES During an 18 month undercover investigation, federal agents say Wilkerson was caught on video taking some of the $23,000 in bribes from undercover agents posing as businessmen.
Closer Look: The Bribery Charges OutlinedWHAT'S NEXT - THE CRIMINAL CASE At her first federal court appearance Tuesday, bail was set at $50,000. Wilkerson quickly made bail and left the courthouse without talking to reporters.
If convicted, Dianne Wilkerson faces up to 20 years in prison plus $250,000 in fines for each of two criminal counts. Legal analyst and former prosecutor Jennifer Roman told WBZ with the amount of evidence prosecutors appear to have against Wilkerson, a plea deal is more likely than a trial.
"I think Diane Wilkerson will see jail time," Roman said. "Because it's 20 years maximum if she was to go to trial… it's more likely that she will see a couple of years and probably a lengthy probation period with a very hefty fine."
Read More: Legal Analysis Of Wilkerson CaseWHAT'S NEXT – HER SENATE SEAT Dianne Wilkerson has been serving in the Massachusetts Senate since 1993, the first African American woman elected to that post. Her current two-year term expires in January.
There have been calls from legislative leaders for Wilkerson to step down before her term expires – if the charges are true.
"If the charges are true she should step down and step down promptly," Governor Deval Patrick said Tuesday night.
Senate Republican Leader Richard Tisei also called on Wilkerson to resign.
Senate President Therese Murray, the leading Democrat in the State Senate said she was seeking an Ethics investigation and would work to remove Dianne Wilkerson from her post as chairwoman of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
Read More: Political ReactionWHAT'S NEXT - THE ELECTION Senator Dianne Wilkerson's seat, along with every other seat in the State Senate is on the ballot for voters on November 4.
Wilkerson lost a very close Democratic primary election to Sonia Chang-Diaz, but is waging a write-in campaign to retain her seat.
Wilkerson announced late Wednesday that she will continue that campaign to retain her senate seat.
Read More: Wilkerson's Statement
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